Reducing stores’ environmental impact
Reducing stores’ environmental impact
Sobeys Atlantic
Sobeys Atlantic has implemented a wide range of energy conservation measures which are producing significant electricity consumption and related cost savings. These initiatives include:
- Replacing 320 watt high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps in 73 stores with 240 watt T5 fluorescent lights. This action is expected to reduce the amount of electricity required to illuminate the stores by approximately 43%, which amounts to energy savings of approximately 12.5 million kWhs annually.
- Installing variable speed drives (VSD) at 55 stores. Variable speed drives override fixed motor speeds to give operators control over the speed at which HVAC equipment fans and pumps operate. When a fan is driven by a fixed speed motor, the air flow can sometimes be higher than necessary. By regulating the speed of the motor to align with demand, we save energy. Combined, variable speed drives have enabled Sobeys Atlantic to reduce electricity consumption by over 3 million kWh annually.
- Installing 73 demand control units to reduce the amount of energy provided to the refrigeration, HVAC and at some locations, the lighting systems when the systems' power demand exceeds pre-set limits. Combined, the 73 units are saving Sobeys Atlantic approximately $328K in annual electricity costs. These devices are now required in the design specifications for all new stores in the region.
- Replacing the fluorescent lamps used in the refrigerated display cases of 30 stores with light emitting diode (LED) units. LED lighting produces more light per watt than fluorescent lamps which uses less energy, and produces less heat which reduces the amount of energy required to keep the display cases cool. This initiative is expected to save the region approximately 2.1 million kWhs annually.
- Installing energy surveillance systems in 39 stores to monitor the stores' energy loads and locate energy leaks, usually from equipment that is out of calibration. Combined, these systems are projected to save approximately 5.2 million kWhs annually.
In addition, a number of energy-saving features were piloted at the Russell Lake store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Energy-saving design features at this store included 24 skylights covering 93 square metres; 93 square metres of clerestory glazing on high-level windows, which provide 75% of the store's lighting on bright days; and using a light-coloured ceiling. Based on a review of each feature's effectiveness, Sobeys Atlantic will use lighter ceiling colours and incorporate high-level windows into new store designs whenever possible.
